Masters experience helps Koepka turn lead into win
ROCHESTER, New York: Brooks Koepka claimed his third PGA Championship and a landmark major win for LIV Golf yesterday but the day also belonged to Michael Block, a 46yearold club professional, who capped a golfing fairy tale with a hole in one.
Koepka, saying he had learned his lessons from last month’s Masters when he led by two going into the final round before a collapse opened the door for Jon Rahm to grab the green jacket, began the day with a oneshot advantage and would not let go.
In a cool, clinical display, Koepka returned a 3under 67 for a winning total of 9under 271 and a twoshot victory over world no 2 Scottie Scheffler and Norwegian Viktor Hovland.
‘‘I just learned I knew what I did in Augusta,’’ Koepka said.
‘‘I spent the whole night thinking about it.
‘‘I knew what I did and I knew I was never going to come out and think that way again. Didn’t do that.’’
The win gives Koepka (33) a fifth major and third PGA Championship to go with backtoback wins in 2018 and 2019.
With Koepka clinging to a oneshot lead, the turning point came at the par4 16th where the bighitting American grabbed a birdie and Hovland a doublebogey after trouble in a fairway bunker, opening up a fourshot cushion.
Scheffler began the day four shots back but by the back nine had put himself back in the thick of the chase.
In the end, a terrible third round had put him in too big a hole that even the joint best round of the day, a 5under 65, could not dig him out of.
Hovland, bidding to become the first Norwegian man to win a golf major, closed with a 68 to grab a share of second.
The win will be remembered as a landmark moment for LIV Golf, Koepka’s major victory being the first by a member of the controversial Saudibankrolled circuit, providing badly needed validation.
For all the magic produced by golf’s biggest names at Oak Hill none could match what Block, an unknown club professional, conjured up.
Already a fan favourite before the final round teed off, Block, one of 20 teaching professionals in the field, added to a Rockylike Hollywood script when his tee shot at the par3 15th soared into the air and slammed straight into the cup without even rattling the flagstick.
The moment left Block, playing with fourtime major winner Rory McIlroy, in disbelief.
‘‘No, no, no way. Rory did it go in?’’ Block said on the tee as spectators erupted in wild scenes around the green.
Block became the everyman bluecollar hero and gallery darling at Oak Hill by carrying the hopes and dreams of every duffer who has picked up a club.
His 1over 71 was good enough for a tie for 15th and automatic entry into next year’s PGA Championship
New Zealander Ryan Fox finished tied for 23rd, his finalround 71 leaving him 3over for the tournament. — Reuters